Package edge protector



g- 10, 1965 R. o. MORRISON ETAL 3,199,709

PACKAGE EDGE PROTECTOR Filed Nov. 8, 1961 Roberi O. Morrison tQl Louis W Chundelok, Jr: INVENTORS United States Patent Greg.

Filed Nov. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 151,106 1 Claim. (Cl. 217-69) This invention relates to edge protectors for packages secured with metal strapping, and more particularly to an edge protector which may be secured in position relative to the package or strapping preliminary to tightening of the latter.

The use of metal strapping for the reinforcement of containers and for the packaging of a plurality of articles, is becoming increasingly popular. The necessity for edge protectors for such packaging has long been recognized, to prevent crushing and other damage to the edges due to the high compressive pressures exerted by the strapping. In the use of such edge protectors heretofore it has been necessary to hold them in place manually while the metal strapping is looped about the package and oriented in proper position. This manual manipulation renders the packaging procedure cumbersome and time consuming, and it is to this elimination of this obstacle that the present invention is primarily directed.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of an edge protector which may be attached directly to the package preliminary to the application of the strapping.

Still another important object of this invention is the provision of an edge protector which may be mounted adjustably on the strapping preliminary to application of the latter to the package.

A further important object of the present invention is the provision of an edge protector of the class described, which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture, being particularly suited to manufacture by the molding of conventional thermoplastic resins.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of an edge protector embodying features of the present invention, the same being shown in dotted line in operative position on a package, with the strapping in tightened condition;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation as viewed from the right in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of edge protector embodying features of this invention, the same being shown in dotted line in operative position on a package comprising a plurality of stacked articles;

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of a further modified form of edge protector embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in front elevation of a further modified form of edge protector embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation of a still further modified form of edge protector embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation as viewed from the right in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view in side elevation of a further modified form of edge protector embodying features of the present invention;

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FIG. 11 is a front elevation as viewed from the right in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a view in side elevation of a still further modification of edge protector embodying features of this invention.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the edge protector is substantially U-shaped in side view, the intermediate section 10 interconnecting the spaced resilient end sections 12, 14 to form included angles of not more than preferably slightly less as illustrated.

Although the edge protector may be made of metal or other suitable material, it is preferably made of resilient thermoplastic resin by conventional molding techniques. When thus made of thermoplastic resin, the apex joining the intermediate section and each end section preferably is provided with a lateral groove 16 to effect a thinning of the cross sectional thickness adjacent the corner and thus provide a greater degree of flexibility between said sections.

The edge protector illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is adapted for use with packages of a predetermined, substantially uniform thickness, for example a stack of a. plurality of plywood or hardboard panels 18. The intermediate section 10 of the edge protector is proportioned in length substantially equal to the thickness of the stack. Accordingly, the end sections 12, 14 overlap the opposite face panels of the stack in resilient frictional engagement therewith. In this manner the edge protector is retained in desired position on the package, preliminary to installation of the strapping 20. It will be understood, of course, that a pair of the edge protectors are utilized for one strapping, the pair of protectors being installed at opposite sides of the package.

The inner surface 22 of each of the end sections 12, 14 preferably is roughened, as by sand blasting, to improve the frictional gripping power of said sections against the engaging surfaces of the package to be strapped.

A pair of laterally spaced projections 24 are provided adjacent each end of the intermediate section It), to confine the strapping 20 therebetween during initial placement of the strapping around the package.

By locating the projections on the intermediate section, a plurality of bound packages may be stacked one upon another without damage which might occur if the projections were placed on the end sections.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the intermediate section 26 interconnects one end section 28 which is substantially the same as one of the end sections 12, 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. The opposite end of the intermediate section connects to a thin web section 30 which is substantially thinner than the opposite end section 28 and which preferably extends at right angles to the intermediate section. This form of edge protector is adapted for use in strapping packages of multiple articles arranged in a stack of greater thickness than the stack illustrated in FIG. 1. One edge protector is provided at each side edge of the package, with the web section 30 sandwiched in between adjacent panels 18 intermediate the top and bottom of the stack.

The edge protector illustrated in FIG. 3 functions in manner similar to the edge protector previously described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, each edge protector is retained in proper position on the package, thereby facilitating the initial application and subsequent tightening of the strapping 20.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the edge protector is formed with the base sections 32, 34 extending substantially at right angles to each other, with the thickness of each section preferably increasing progressively toward the apex 36. The thickness of the sections is decreased at the apex, preferably forming a laterally extending channel 38. A resilient clip arm 40 is supported at one end on the edge protector base, adjacent one side thereof and preferably at said channel. The arm projects toward the other side of the edge protector, parallel to the channel, and the free end of the arm con verges toward the apex and preferably rests Within the channel.

Spaced laterally away from the free end of the arm 40 is a longitudinal projection 42 which serves the dual purpose of reinforcing the thin apex 36 and providing .an abutment to limit relative lateral displacement between a strapping 20 and the protector.

The free end of the resilient arm 46 is turned outwardly to facilitate the entrance of a strapping under the arm. The strapping thus is gripped frictionally between the base sections of the edge protector and the resilient clip arm, whereby the protector is effectively attached to the strapping, and may be slid along the latter to desired position of adjustment, preliminary to tightening of the strapping around the package. This sliding attachment also permits the protector to move automatically into proper position at the package edge as the strapping is tightened. The length of the resilient arm is chosen so that the edge protector may be attached resiliently to strappings of varying width, thus accommodating use of the protector with a relatively wide range of strapping sizes.

It will be noted from FIG, 5 that as the strapping 20 is tightened about the package the greatest compressive force of the strapping is applied to the edge protector and the package at the points of greatest thickness of the protector. These points are displaced from the apex 36 of the protector to minimize the compressive force directly at the edgesof the package.

Although the resilient clip arm is illustrated as being positioned at the apex of the edge protector, it will be understood that the arm may be positioned away from the apex at any desired location along the length of one of the base sections 32, 34.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar to that just described, with the exception that the clip arm 40 is replaced by the strap 40' which is attached to the projection 42 and thus forms a loop .with the body through which the strapping 20 is threaded.

' Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the edge protector is substantially L-shaped with the base sections 44, 46 thereof disposed at substantially right angles to each other. A pair of laterally spaced projections 48 extend from one of the sections, preferably the section 46 which will be arranged to abut .4 the opposite clip. The heads are rounded, as illustrated, so that upon applying pressure to force the strapping toward the base section 46, the resilient pedestal 54 permits the head to be forced laterally outward, sufiiciently to permit the strapping to enter the pocket and to be brought into engagement with the base section. The resilient pedestal then snaps back to its normal position, whereupon the projecting head 56 is brought to the position overlying the strapping. The edge protector being thus frictionally mounted on the strapping, it may be slid along the latter to desired position of adjustment.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the L-shaped edge protector is formed with the base sections 60, 62 and the latter is provided with three projecting clips 64, 66 and 68, each of which is similar to the clips 50, 52 illustrated in FIG, 9. The three clips are positioned to form a triangle having a base line 70 extending parallel to "the longitudinal direction of the base section 62. This base line is formed by a line extending between the inner sides of the pedestals 72 of the clips, and the inner height h of the triangle is the perpendicular distance from this base line to the inner side of the pedestal of clip 64 forming the apex of the triangle. This height is slightly greater than the width of the strapping 20 with which the edge protector is used. The distance l between the inner sides of the heads of the clips 64, 66 forming one side of the triangle, is greater than the width of the strapping 20.

Accordingly, attachment of the edge protector to the strapping is accomplished by first arranging the strapping and protector so that the strapping is received between the clips 64, 66 and then rotating the strapping and protector relative to each other so that the triangle base line 70 and the adjacent strapping edge are aligned. Said edge of the strapping then may be snapped under the projecting head of the third clip 68. The edge protector thus is attached frictionally to the strapping and may be slid along the latter to the desired position of adjustment.

the side edge of a package, as explained hereinbefore in 7 flexible. The pedestal supports a clip head 56 which pro-.

jects from the pedestal toward the opposite side of the edge protector, thus forming a pocket 58 between the head. and the adjacent surface of the supporting base section. The thickness of this pocket is slightly less than the thickness of; the strapping 20, whereby the latter is frictionally engaged adjacent its side edges between the base section and the head.-

The lateral spacing between the pair of pedestals 54 defining the pockets is substantially the same as the. width of the strapping 20 with which the corner protector is to be used. Thus, in installing the edge protector upon the strapping, oneedgeof the strapping is pressed into the pocket formed by one ofthe clips,.the opposite edge of the strapping overlapping the projecting head 56 of It has been explained hereinbefore in connection with the. embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4-11 that the clips or loop frictionally engage and grip the strapping so that the edge protector is retained in adjusted position on the strapping. Although this is the preferred arrangement, it may "be desirable in some instances to provide sufficient space between the clips or loop and the protector body so that the protector is merely retained freely on the strapping. i.e. it may be moved freely along the strapping without frictional gripping resistance.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 the L-shaped edge protector is formed with the base sections 74, 76 and the laterally spaced projections 78, in manner similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. However, releasable and adjustable attachment of the protector to a metal strapping is achieved by'means of the magnetic element 80 molded or otherwise secured to the base section 76. Alternatively, the protector may be molded of a mixture of plastic and magnetic metal powder, whereby the entire body of the protector is rendered magnetic. Still further, the protector may be made of magnetized metal. I

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the shape, size type of materials and various other changes may be made in the details of construction described hereinbefore without departing from the spirit of this invention andthe scope. of the appended claim.

Having now described our invention and the manner in which it may be used, what We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An edge protector for packages bound with strapping, comprising an imperforate .L-shaped body member adapted to overlie a package edge, a resilient clip member secured atone .end to and projecting outwardly from the imperforate apex of the body member adjacent one lateral side of the latter and having its opposite end positioned freely adjacent the apex and terminating inwardly of and adjacent the opposite lateral side of the body member for frictionally gripping a strapping between said end portion and the underlying imperforate apex of the body member, and ,an abutment member projecting outwardly from the imperforate apex of the body member adjacent said opposite lateral side of the latter and outwardly of the free end of the clip member for confining a strapping between the clip member and abutment member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 480,241 8/92 Atkinson 217-69 749,834 1/04 Beisel 190-37 1,469,857 10/23 Treat 21769 Treat 2l7--69 Grifiith 206-60 Meader 21766 Walper 206-60 Slusar 206- 60 Way 206-60 Way 2l766 Epps 20660 Pagel 217-66 Luck 248301 Baermann.

Symmonds 21769 TI-IERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 15 EARLE I. DRUMMOND, GEORGE O, RALSTON,

Examiners, 

